Reproductive performance and pre‐weaning mortality: Preliminary analysis of 27,221 purebred female dogs and 204,537 puppies in France
Open accessAbstract
Contents: The objective of this study was to describe efficiency of reproduction of purebred dogs in field breeding conditions, from mating to weaning in France. Data were collected between 2010 and 2014 in 5,667 French breeding kennels via a reproduction management software (Breeding Management System, Royal Canin, Aimargues, France). Effect of breed size (Mini: adult body weight <10 kg; Medium: 10–25 kg; Maxi: 25–40 kg; Giant: >40 kg), age of dam and male on pregnancy rate, abortion rate and litter size were evaluated by multivariable models. Data on 45,913 heats (all with mating), from 27,221 bitches from 248 breeds, were analysed. At mating, mean age (±SD) was 3.1 ± 1.8 years for bitches and 3.3 ± 2.0 for males. Males originated from the same kennel as the females in 88.5% of the matings. Based on breeder's evaluation of the pregnancy status, pregnancy rate (number of pregnant females based on breeders declaration/number of heats) was 87.8% and abortion rate was 6.8%. Finally, 81.9% of the mated females gave birth to a litter. On 37,946 litters (204,537 puppies), mean litter size was 5.4 ± 2.8 puppies (range 1–24), which was influenced by breed size and dam age (p < .0001). Stillbirth rate was 7.4% and puppy mortality rate (stillbirth + mortality until 2 months of age) was 13.4%. Prolificacy and puppy mortality rates were affected by breed size and within a breed size, by breed. Despite probable approximations (as data originate from breeders declaration), this large‐scale analysis provides reference values on reproductive performance in dogs.
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Dogs exhibit high fertility rates, encompassing pregnancy rates, birth rates, and litter sizes, while experiencing relatively low abortion and stillbirth rates, although variations exist among breeds.
“Dogs exhibit high fertility rates, encompassing pregnancy rates, birth rates, and litter sizes, while experiencing relatively low abortion and stillbirth rates, although variations exist among breeds [169].”
From Ethical Concerns about Fashionable Dog Breeding (2024) · cites this paper as [169]
An increase in antibodies specifically directed against pathogens affecting newborns, such as FCV and FHV-1, may be achieved through vaccination performed as close as possible to the beginning of heat in queens scheduled for mating.
“An increase in antibodies specifically directed against pathogens affecting newborns, such as FCV and FHV-1, 30 may be achieved through vaccination performed as close as possible to the beginning of heat in queens scheduled for mating.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
The Materials and Methods section describes reproductive outcomes in dogs, and the Discussion addresses puppy mortality, but neither discusses vaccination timing or pathogen-specific antibodies in queens. Searches for vaccination near the beginning of heat and for FCV/FHV-1 found no passage addressing the claim; the copy gives no page numbers for these sections. (LLM, conf=0.78)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredEnteric absorption of IgG peaks at birth and rapidly decreases in the following hours, ceasing at about 12-16 h after birth.
“Enteric absorption of igG peaks at birth and rapidly decreases in the following hours, ceasing at about 12-16 h after birth.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
The Discussion addresses postnatal puppy mortality and mentions immunological issues after birth, but does not describe enteric IgG absorption. Searches for IgG absorption, colostrum, and a 12–16-hour cutoff found no passage addressing the claimed timing. (LLM, conf=0.75)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredAbsorption of colostral immunoglobulins from the digestive tract and subsequent transfer to the bloodstream is crucial for the survival of newborn kittens.
“Absorption of colostral immunoglobulins from the digestive tract and subsequent transfer to the bloodstream is recognised to be crucial for the survival of newborn kittens.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
The Discussion says that immunological issues affect post-natal mortality in puppies, but it does not address colostral immunoglobulin absorption, transfer to the bloodstream, or survival in kittens. Searches for those terms and for colostrum and neonatal immunity found no passage establishing the claimed mechanism. (LLM, conf=0.76)
Experimental — accuracy not yet measuredImmunoglobulin concentrations in queen's colostrum were reported to be 40-50 g/l compared with <1 g/l in milk.
“ig concentrations in queen's colostrum were reported to be 40-50 g/l compared with <1 g/l in milk.”
From Feline neonatology: From birth to commencement of weaning – what to know for successful management (2022) · cites this paper as [30]
The Methods and Results describe reproduction and puppy mortality in dogs, not immunoglobulin concentrations in queens. Searches for queen’s colostrum, milk, and the stated concentrations found no passage addressing the claim in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.76)
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References 17 · Cited by 54
- Authors
- Chastant‐Maillard, S., Guillemot, C., Feugier, A., Mariani, C., Grellet, A., & Mila, H.
- Affiliations
- Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique (FR)
- Royal Canin Aimargues France
- Corresponding author
- Chastant‐Maillard, S
- Venue
- Reproduction in Domestic Animals
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2016-11-07
- Volume
- 52
- Issue
- S2
- Pages
- 158-162
- ISSN
- 0044-5371 (ISSN-L)
- 0936-6768
- 1439-0531
- OpenAlex
- W2552854351
- Cited by
- 54
- References
- 17
- Citations by year
- 2026: 5 · 2025: 5 · 2024: 4 · 2023: 7 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 6 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4
- FWCI
- 4.79
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- hal.science
- Locations
- Reproduction in Domestic Animals (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- HAL (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Agronomy and Crop Science › Reproductive Physiology in Livestock
- Health Sciences › Veterinary › Small Animals › Veterinary Medicine and Surgery
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Keywords
- canine reproduction, purebred dogs, pregnancy rate, abortion rates, litter size, pre-weaning mortality, stillbirth, breed size, dam age, puppy mortality, reproductive performance
- MeSH terms
- Abortion, Veterinary, Aging, Animals, Breeding, Dog Diseases, Dogs, Female, France, Litter Size, Male, Pregnancy, Reference Values, Reproduction, Seasons, Species Specificity, Weaning, Multivariate Analysis, Body Size, Stillbirth
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